074 Leopard Seal

Over the icy swells of Antarctica,
a shadow surfaces in silence—then vanishes in an instant.
A powerful hunter, almost like a guardian of the icebergs:
the Leopard Seal.

Leopard seals aren’t picky eaters.
From fish to penguins, they choose whatever the moment offers—
made possible by a solid, muscular body, a strong jaw,
and anatomy perfectly built for hunting.
That’s why they’re known as one of Antarctica’s top predators,
with only two predators commonly known to hunt them.

This EUGY Leopard Seal carries a truly special story.
It was created with the help and advice of scientists
Dr Krista Hupman and Dr Ingrid Visser—
and for the first time, it’s an EUGY based on a real individual animal.
The model is a leopard seal named “Owha.”

Owha’s distinctive spotted patterns
and her unique “V”-shaped scar inspired the design,
carefully reflected in the details and markings.
And because Owha is a New Zealand resident,
often seen along our shores,
this leopard seal feels both wild and surprisingly close to home.

As you build,
the breath of the cold southern ocean
and Owha’s one-of-a-kind story
will come together at your fingertips—
and be completed as one living tale.